IRGC Navy fast attack craft can sail at speed of 110 knots: Commander

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says the homegrown fast attack craft operated by the naval force can now sail at the speed of 110 nautical knots (203 km/h).

Addressing a gathering of high-profile IRGC commanders and officials in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Saturday, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the IRGC Navy’s experts have increased the speed of the vessels, as demanded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

“Nowadays, we possess fast attack craft that can sail at a speed of between 90 to 110 knots,” Tangsiri said.

He pointed out that IRGC naval forces are now in full control of the Persian Gulf, and US aircraft carriers have to observe Iran’s maritime regulations while sailing in the strategic body of water.

“There was a time when NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states did not comply with our maritime regulations. But they now conform to the IRGC Navy’s warnings. For instance, IRGC vessels once sailed towards a US aircraft carrier, and the warship retreated at least [nautical] 150 miles (277 kilometers),” the senior military commander said.

He went on to note that the IRGC Navy is now in possession of various types of combat, reconnaissance, surveillance and hybrid unmanned aerial vehicles and has a wide inventory of ground-based anti-ship missiles.

“We have managed to install rocket launchers on 8-meter-long fast attack craft. We are the first country in the West Asia region to manufacture a vessel, with an airstrip for drones to fly from or land on,” Tangsiri said.

Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities.